1979 MG MGB - Classic Car Price Guide

History of the 1975-1980 MG MGB

American MGB buyers were in for a shock in 1975 when power plummeted to 62.5 horsepower when the twin SU carburetors were replaced by a single Zenith-Stromberg instrument and a raft of additional emissions gear. Combined with the added weight of the carryover rubber bumpers, it’s no wonder that the GT was dropped for North America as acceleration and top speed also dropped. The car soldiered on largely unchanged with the exception of a new dashboard and instruments in 1977 and a series of minor detail changes. Finally, with the MG factory closed, the last new MGBs were sold as 1980s models. Despite the fact that the MGB was a very old design by the 1970s, production continued to climb, peaking at 35,739 in 1975/1976. Even in its 18th year, the MGB found 14,315 buyers. With more than 500,000 MGBs built, they are still plentiful at reasonable prices and with parts easily available, they are incredibly good starter cars.